SXSW Interview: Baum

Baum just keeps releasing hit after hit after hit. This year, she’ll be bringing her pop stylings into Austin, ready to take over the town during SXSW. We caught up with her briefly to catch her thoughts on the festival; we’ve also got a few of those aforementioned hits below.

ATH: Every Year there is a lot of hubbub concerning corporate sponsors and pay to play and what not at SXSW. As a band, what’s your reason for coming to play at the festival? What do you hope to get out of it?

Baum: I’m super excited to get in front of new crowds of people at SXSW. That’s probably the main reason I’m going. Festivals are full of people looking to discover new artists and new music, which is the ideal situation for me to be in. It’s also gonna be a great way to meet other artists I’d like to collab with/get to know.

ATH: For most SXSW sets, you get 30 minutes to leave a lasting impression. What’s your plan of attack? You have a set list mapped out yet?

Baum: Yes, I’ve had my set planned out for a while, haha. I’m just going to show up and be myself and play my best songs — there’s not a lot else I can do. I just want people to feel inspired after the set and enjoy themselves while they’re there.

ATH: The festival caters to music fans, but food and booze are an important aspect of the fans and the bands. What’s your band’s food and beverage of choice?

Baum: I’m vegetarian and pretty lactose intolerant so probably some sort of meat substitute thing or veg option. That’s probably not the cool answer, but it’s the truth. I’ve heard there’s a lot of great vegan food in Austin. And for a drink, probably beer or vodka. The dudes in my band drink a lot of beer, but that doesn’t sit well with me so I stick to vodka lol.

ATH: There are tons of bands coming into town. Who would you ideally like to play with of the 1000s of bands gracing our city? Make your own optimal line-up.

Baum: This is so fun — I actually haven’t thought about this. Okay, here would be my nonsensical, random line up that doesn’t actually fit my genre but would be full of cool artists:

Porches

Kim Petras

noMBe

Pussy Riot

Lauren Ruth Ward

Sylvan Esso

Jade Bird

Princess Nokia

Cut Copy

In The Valley Bellow

Elle King

Amy Shark

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

Baum: I grew up going to Governor’s Ball, so I’m sort of partial to that!

ATH: We are partial to SXSW obviously, but what festival do you feel is the best around?

Baum: Phoebe Bridgers, “Stranger In The Alps.” Every song is breathtaking and I want to be her a little bit. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Rostam, Soccer Mommy, Kitten, Sufjan Stevens, etc. I’m all over the place.